Clinical Forensic Psychologist

Clinical Forensic Psychologist

Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join us to provide therapeutic services for children in care, focusing on their individual needs.
  • Company: Horizon Care & Education is dedicated to quality care and supporting children's development.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, discounts, career progression, and comprehensive training opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while working in a supportive and dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Must have HCPC registration and experience with children facing trauma and complex needs.
  • Other info: Driving licence required; flexible hours and a strong focus on wellbeing.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

Job Description

About the job

Clinical / Forensic Psychologist

Location: Wiltshire (Melksham, Devizes, Salisbury)

Full Time 37.5 hours per week.

Salary: £60,000 per annum

Hybrid working

Driving licence and access to a car required (visits are required to all homes in the area)

Horizon Care & Education are looking for a Clinical/Forensic Psychologist to join us to deliver a comprehensive therapeutic service for children in our care in Salisbury and Melksham in Wiltshire. This is an exciting position, working with 4 new children's homes, with one of our homes being an assessment home, where we work closely with the children to identify their individual needs.

What we’re looking for from you

  • Experience of working with Children and Young People or relevant demonstrable transferable skills is essential
  • Post-doctoral knowledge of applied psychology including developmental lifespan psychology, models of psychopathology
  • Previous experience working with children and young people that have experienced trauma and have complex needs
  • Experiencing in the assessment and management of self-harm / risk / crisis management / safeguarding
  • Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.
  • Practitioner doctorate or equivalent accepted by the British Psychological Society as qualifying the person to work as a clinical/ counselling/ forensic psychologist/relevant qualification to enable HCPC registration
  • Knowledge of Therapeutic practices
  • Experience of working with sensory strategies
  • A desire to support services through embedding therapeutic practice
  • Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
  • Ability to work autonomously with the support from individual and peer supervision
  • Ability to role model behaviours and attitudes in line with organisational values
  • A sound understanding of Microsoft Office components, including knowledge of Excel, Teams and SharePoint
  • Full UK driving licence and use of your own vehicle

Essential criteria:

  • Qualifications & Registration: HCPC registration as a Clinical or Forensic Psychologist; doctoral-level training in psychology.
  • Specialist Knowledge: In-depth understanding of child and adolescent development, attachment theory, the impact of complex trauma, neglect, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and how these present in residential and supported accommodation contexts.
  • Experience:
  • Direct work with children and young people displaying high-risk behaviours (e.g., self-harm, aggression, absconding) within 24/7 staffed environments.
  • Skilled in conducting psychological assessments and formulations to inform care planning in children’s assessment homes, including integration of multi-agency information.
  • Working effectively within safeguarding frameworks, child protection procedures, and court-related processes.
  • Skills:
  • Ability to deliver and adapt evidence-based interventions (e.g., CBT, trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, systemic approaches) in non-clinical settings.
  • Strong consultation and reflective practice facilitation skills for residential care staff teams.
  • Capacity to manage challenging interpersonal dynamics and maintain professional boundaries in high-emotion environments.

Desirable criteria:

  • Experience supporting transition planning for young people moving between assessment, residential, supported accommodation, and family or foster placements.
  • Training in additional therapeutic approaches (e.g., DBT, play therapy, mentalisation-based therapy).
  • Experience in service evaluation, outcome measurement, or research in residential/assessment settings.
  • Skills in delivering psychologically informed environment (PIE) principles within supported accommodation.

Here are just some of the benefits of working for us:

  • Blue Light Card
  • Taste Card – Discounts on the Cinema, meals out and days out!
  • My Active and My Gym discounts
  • Colleague referral scheme with cash rewards – earn up to £2500 per referral! *
  • Financial wellbeing service
  • Life Assurance
  • Opportunity to progress in your career through our Education Academy, and ongoing training and professional development.
  • Comprehensive and tailored induction programme including face-to-face training, online modules, shadowing, and local induction period.
  • Face-to-face therapeutic training and support for all colleagues via our SHINE programme.
  • Access to a wide range of free online courses for all colleagues on a variety of topics
  • Employee assistance programme – free, confidential support via Bupa.
  • Community and wellbeing – Your wellbeing matters to us, and we are committed to ensuring you get all the support you need to feel good about what you do. We're in this together.
  • Supportive management and senior leaders.
  • High quality CPD opportunities.
  • Free eye checks.

Horizon Care and Education is committed to quality, equality, and valuing diversity.

This post is subject to satisfactory criminal records check and satisfactory references.

Clinical Forensic Psychologist employer: Horizon Care & Education

Horizon Care & Education is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for Clinical Forensic Psychologists in Wiltshire. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, comprehensive training programmes, and opportunities for career progression through our Education Academy, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion, alongside attractive benefits such as the Blue Light Card and financial wellbeing services, makes us a rewarding place to work.
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Contact Detail:

Horizon Care & Education Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Clinical Forensic Psychologist

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific therapeutic practices mentioned in the job description, such as CBT and trauma-focused interventions. Being able to discuss these approaches confidently during your interview will demonstrate your expertise and alignment with our values.

✨Tip Number 2

Highlight any experience you have working with children and young people who have complex needs or have experienced trauma. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed high-risk behaviours, as this will be crucial in showcasing your suitability for the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Make sure to emphasise your ability to work autonomously while also valuing peer supervision. We appreciate candidates who can balance independence with collaboration, so be ready to share how you've navigated this in past roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Since driving is a requirement for this position, ensure you mention your driving licence and access to a vehicle upfront. This will help us see that you're prepared for the practical aspects of the job right from the start.

We think you need these skills to ace Clinical Forensic Psychologist

Post-doctoral knowledge of applied psychology
Experience working with children and young people
Assessment and management of self-harm and risk
Crisis management skills
Safeguarding knowledge
Teaching and training experience
HCPC registration as a Clinical or Forensic Psychologist
Understanding of child and adolescent development
Knowledge of attachment theory
Experience with complex trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
Skilled in psychological assessments and formulations
Ability to deliver evidence-based interventions (e.g., CBT, EMDR)
Strong consultation and reflective practice skills
Capacity to manage challenging interpersonal dynamics
Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Teams, and SharePoint
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience working with children and young people, particularly in contexts involving trauma and complex needs. Emphasise your qualifications, including your HCPC registration and any specific therapeutic approaches you are trained in.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for working with children and your understanding of the challenges they face. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage high-risk behaviours and your knowledge of child development and attachment theory.

Showcase Your Skills: Clearly outline your skills in delivering evidence-based interventions and your experience in conducting psychological assessments. Highlight your ability to work autonomously and your experience in training or supervising others, as these are key aspects of the role.

Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your documents to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial in a clinical setting.

How to prepare for a job interview at Horizon Care & Education

✨Showcase Your Experience with Children

Make sure to highlight your experience working with children and young people, especially those who have faced trauma. Share specific examples of how you've supported their needs and the outcomes of your interventions.

✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Therapeutic Practices

Be prepared to discuss various therapeutic approaches you are familiar with, such as CBT or EMDR. Explain how you would adapt these methods to suit the unique needs of children in a residential setting.

✨Communicate Effectively

Since strong communication skills are essential for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be ready to discuss how you would communicate with both children and staff in high-emotion environments.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your crisis management and safeguarding skills. Think through potential situations you might encounter and how you would handle them, demonstrating your ability to maintain professional boundaries.

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